[pgjocki]

Playing around and I'm a few years into the future at the 2026 offseason and 3 teams have a GM opening; I'm going to only list the budgets and minor league rankings to elicit some thoughts:

Team 1

- Budget - 22nd
- Player Payroll - 27th
- Money for Free Agents - $57,023,582
- Money for Extensions - $75,821,082
- Minor League Ranking - 14 of 30
- Last year record 63-99

Quick overview: The team is a dumpster fire all around. They haven't made the playoffs in the last five years and the records have been 79, 77, 71, 74, and 70 before hitting 63 last year. They only have 1 guy making more than $3.6 million a year and it's a pitcher making a cool $35 million a year for the next 4 years and he's made a whooping 7 starts between 2022-2025. The dude is a thief and honestly has been taking advantage of the injured list with multiple 60 day trips per season. They are looking at almost a $100 million dollar increase in payroll in 2 years as a staggering 37 guys have forecasted arbitration salary increases. I can't imagine all 37 guys staying with the team and getting those arb numbers but with a middle of the pack minor league it feels like the league would be stronger if this team was abolished.

Team 2

- Budget - 14th
- Player Payroll - 18th
- Money for Free Agents - $31,602,788
- Money for Extensions - $45,207,788
- Minor League Ranking - 10 of 30
- Last year record 74-88

Quick overview: The team has 1 division title and no other playoff teams the last 5 years with with totals of 88, 91, 87, 81, and 79 before last year falling to 74. They are neither old or young and only have 5 contracts over $10 mil a year but have 7 between $5 and $9 mil a year going through at least the 2029 season. The minor league is very pitcher heavy with only 1 position player in the top 100. Lots of available cash but with no clear direction of the team and getting 1 top tier guy isn't enough to push the team to the top of the division.

Team 3

- Budget - 1st
- Player Payroll - 2nd
- Money for Free Agents - $0 none
- Money for Extensions - $0 none
- Minor League Ranking - 1 of 30
- Last year record 72-90

Quick overview: The team has been a division winner or playoff team the last 5 years with with totals of 97, 98, 95, 99, and 93 before last year falling to 72. They are extremely old and stuck with 6 contracts all over $15 mil a year and 3 over $25 mil a year going through at least the 2031 season. So the minor league surprisingly has some studs coming but there is no budget wiggle room.

So, a quick run down and this is sim only so it's pick a team, see what changes can be made in the offseason and see how the season goes.

So, Team #1, Team #2, or Team #3?